Closing date: 25 Aug 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Côte d'Ivoire - Bouake
Job Description
Position: Logistician
Location: Bouake with visits to Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Contract Duration: 11 weeks
Start Date: ASAP
Responsible To: Country Director
Salary: £12,113 - £14, 338 per annum dependant on relevant experience, an annual cost of living allowance of £6016, insurance cover, accommodation and return flights.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note: this is an unaccompanied position.
Merlin International Profile
Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.
Country Background
Merlin began supporting access to primary healthcare in western Ivory Coast in January 2003. Initially mobile health teams were used to support access to internally displaced people (IDPs) and third country nationals (TCNs). More recently, with the stabilization of the situation, Merlin developed a rehabilitation/construction programme with EU funding in the south-western area. Merlin now works in the northern region of Ivory Coast, refurbishing clinics and hospitals, restoring and equipping the Bouake district health office, improving waste management at three clinics and renovating a network of 21 schools throughout Korhogo and Bouake. At present Merlin is engaged in building schools in this region, funded by the EC. The current phase of this construction is due to last until autumn 2009.
Merlin is also embarking on a new nutrition programme in Mankono in the North-West of the country to provide medical relief and primary health care to those most vulnerable to food shortages in that region. This project will be for six months and be funded by the Swedish Government with nutrition therapeutic products provided by UNICEF.
At present Merlin is looking into expanding its programme in Ivory Coast and is constantly monitoring the medical, nutritional and security situation. We are engaged with other organisations, UN agencies and the government of Ivory Coast to look into urgent needs and emergencies in the country. The expansion of the programme will depend on securing further funding to continue programming after October 2009. If funding is not secured then programme closure will be necessary at the end of Ocotober 2009 which would also be managed by the Country Director with the assistance of the Logistician.
Main purpose of the role
Co-ordination of all logistical functions of the Ivory Coast programme with Merlin protocols and procedures, to ensure site objectives are achieved in collaboration with the project team and the wider programme. Respond to needs as identified by the Country Director, flexibly adapting to changing priorities and needs, while working in close cooperation with fellow team members.
Overall Objectives (scope)
Will be to:
- provide an effective and efficient logistic service.
- coordinate effectively with local and national suppliers
- provide additional administrative suport to the programme
- manage the logistical aspects of programme closure if applicable
Key Responsibilities
Logistics
- Oversee field site logistical activities including international and local procurement
- Supervise/implement stock control and standard warehousing practices consistent with Merlin systems and procedures
- Document records to full audit trail standards according to Merlin and donor requirements and produce logistics reports when required
- Improve and maintain the logistics filing system to include all equipment manuals, maintenance schedules and logs documentation (e.g. way bills)
- Implement/monitor a sound asset management (registration, control and tracking) system
- Keep an up-to-date list of all assets and inventory items in compliance with Merlin policy
- Ensure efficient and appropriate logistical support is provided for all programme activities
- Overall responsibility for site communications including email, high frequency (HF) and satellitle communication
- Ensuring that HF radio contact with capital and any other project team is maintained daily
- Oversee fleet management and ensure that the provision of transport services to Merlin programme departments is safe, adequate and efficient. This includes the availability of necessary safety accessories and communication equipment.
Administration and Finance
- Participation in project planning and the preparation of donor proposals and reports in collaboration with the project team
- Participation in the preparation and presentation of quarterly external audits
Human Resources
- Manage the country programme national logistics team including recruitment, team building and conducting appraisals according to Merlin standard procedures
- Assess the continuing training needs and build capacity of the project’s national logistics staff by ensuring training needs are appropriately met and within budget
Security
- Participation in the on-going monitoring of the security situation in the country
- Assist with the implementation of security measures in liaison with the Country Management Team (CMT) and according to Merlin security guidelines
- Facilitating the evacuation of field based teams if necessary
Other
- Represent Merlin at external meetings when required
- Assist with report and proposal writing when necessary
- Carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Country Director
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications, experience and competences
- Consistent experience in logistics in international humanitarian aid programmes.
- Technical skills in a number of the following fields: mechanics, radio communications, construction management, drug supply management, cold chain management
- Experience and Knowledge in IT & communications
- Supply chain management skills of procurement, warehousing / stock control, and distribution
- Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
- Strong organisational skills with a proven ability in project administration/management and independent working in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
- Good manangerial skills with a commitment to national staff capacity development
- An ability to remain calm and to be diplomatic
- Experience of and willingness to live and work as part of a team in an insecure, remote and isolated environment
- Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken French and English
- Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
- Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
- An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable
Qualifications, experience and competences
- Previous experience within the country or region
- Previous academic experience in logistics and/or supply chain management
- Previous responsibility for security management
- Familiarity with European Union donor compliance
- Ability to chair meetings and provide succinct reports of those meetings
- Experience of programme closure
Data Protection
Please note, on submitting your application, you are agreeing to Merlin holding and using the information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment – should an offer be made.
In order to process your job application, it may be necessary for your application to be sent to the Country Director (in the country you are applying for) for consideration. If you do not agree with this, please state so when applying.
Reference Code: RW_7TZM8Q-98
